This third generation of the venerable 2.0-liter turbo four has a modest increase in horsepower, up from 200 to 210, the same 207 lb-ft of torque, and improved fuel economy. The automaker pegs that improvement at “between four and eight percent on the combined cycle and up to nine percent on the city cycle.” As you might expect, a modest increase in horsepower results in a modest improvement in acceleration. VW figures that the Beetle Turbo and the GLI, when equipped with the DSG six-speed dual-clutch automatic, will be able to knock 0.2 second off their 0-to-60 times compared to the times set by models powered by the first-generation EA888 mill. Our most-recent tests of DSG-equipped versions of the Beetle Turbo and the GLI resulted in 0-to-60-sprint times of 6.3 and 6.8 seconds, respectively.

The gen-three EA888 is an almost-new engine, lighter and more efficient. Volkswagen carved eight pounds from the overall weight, down to 290; the crankcase has thinwall casting; the exhaust headers are integrated into the cylinder head; bearing changes include smaller mains and roller bearings for the balance shafts; and the crankshaft counterweight count is cut in half to four.

These upgrades will be applied to the 2013 model-year Beetle Turbos and GLIs, which will go on sale this month. And if the new models’ stats aren’t sufficient enough, keep in mind that the 2015 GTI is expected to make the same 210 horsepower from its EA888, but with a whopping 258 lb-ft of twist.